National Review contributor Andrew McCarthy tells Newsmax TV he believes the magazine's endorsement of Ted Cruz on Friday will make a difference in the upcoming GOP presidential primaries in Florida and Ohio.

"We now have a champion of conservative ideals who is probably as able, articulate and bright a champion as we've had certainly in recent memory and going back some time," McCarthy said Friday on "The Steve Malzberg Show."

Earlier this year, National Review devoted an entire issue to why Donald Trump should not become the Republican nominee and had 22 top conservative commentators write essays to further its case.

"I do think the Trump issue made a difference and I believe this will make a difference as well," said McCarthy, a former assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

"And I'm happy to be somebody who has endorsed Cruz and been in favor of Cruz for a considerable period of time."

In their endorsement, the editors of National Review wrote: "What matters now is that Cruz is a talented and committed conservative. He is also Republicans' best chance for keeping their presidential nomination from going to someone with low character and worse principles. We support Ted Cruz for president."

National Review contributor Andrew McCarthy tells Newsmax TV he believes the magazine's endorsement of Ted Cruz on Friday will make a difference in the upcoming GOP presidential primaries in Florida and Ohio.